LATEST TECH NEWS: Zoom moves to adapt end-to-end encryption. 4 other things and a trivia you need to know today, May 8, 2020

These 5 latest stories from the tech space will keep you updated with trends today.

1. Zoom moves to adapt true end-to-end encryption

Videoconferencing platform Zoom has announced plans to introduce end-to-end encryption after confirming the acquisition of a secure messaging and file-sharing service. According to reports, the video conferencing platform has acquired Keybase, an encrypted messaging platform for an undisclosed fee.

This development will help Zoom build end-to-end encryption into its video platform as part of an ongoing pledge to improve the firm’s security features. Recall that Zoom had been criticised for previously suggesting on its website that it used end-to-end encryption when in fact it did not. Zoom will leverage on Keybase to bring on a cohesive group of security engineers to enhance our security efforts

2. Getitonline launches vendor-focussed e-commerce platform in Zambia

Getitonline has launched its e-commerce portal in Zambia to allow physical vendors secure online storefronts to widen their reach. The startup noted that it went into business to help more merchants establish online presences for the first time, as well as help overseas vendors sell their products in Zambia.

According to the company’s spokesperson and chief executive officer, Malukutu Andie, the company noticed a gap in the e-commerce sector where people used to travel to and from South Africa in order to buy and sell products. With the new launch, the company is bridging the gap to help people who are outside the country sell online.

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Tech Trivia:

What is the most commonly used password?

Answer: See end of post.

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3. Egyptian mobility startup Swvl raises over $20m in new round

Egyptian tech startup Swvl has announced raising over $20-million in a new round. This company, which allows users in Egypt and Kenya book fixed rate affordable rides on its network of vans and buses through its app, looks to expand its venture with the new fund.

Read also: LATEST TECH NEWS: Elon Musk looks to add videoconferencing to Tesla cars. 4 other things and a trivia you need to know today, May 7, 2020

Although the Egyptian tech startup did not give an exact figure, industry analysts have speculated that the raiser is between $24 and $28M. It was traced from company report that Swedish venture capital (VC) fund Vostok New Ventures invested the mobility company. According to the report, documenting 2020 first quarter report of the company, it could be traced that $7 million was invested, as part of the round.

4. Vista Equity Partners pushes to invest $1.5B in India’s Reliance Jio

Private equity firm Vista Equity Partners has on Friday, May 8, revealed intent to invest $1.5 billion in Reliance Jio Platforms. This comes after social conglomerate Facebook and Silver Lake signed up as investors in the Indian company in recent weeks.

Press report on this investment noted that the U.S.-headquartered software-focused buyout firm Vista Equity Partners will, through this deal, hold a 2.32% stake in Reliance Jio Platforms. In the last three weeks, Reliance Jio Platforms has announced plans to sell about 13.4% stake in the firm to Facebook, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Vista Equity Partners for about $8 billion.

5. Owkin raises $25 million to build secured network for healthcare

Towards building a secured network for healthcare, New York-based startup Owkin has raised $25 million in fresh financing from investors, including Bpifrance Large Venture, Cathay Innovation and MACSF (the French Pension Fund for Clinicians). The company’s log revealed that the previous investors GV, F-Prime Capital and eight Roads also participated.

According to the company’s pitch, data scientists, clinical doctors, academics and pharmaceutical companies can all log in to the virtual lab that Owkin calls the Owkin Studio. In its quest to get more companies and institutions to open up and share information — with the promise that the information can’t be extracted or used in a way that isn’t allowed by the owners of the data, Owkin is replicating work that other companies are pursuing in fields ranging from healthcare to financial services and beyond.

Tech Trivia Answer: 123456

Despite all warnings against using poor passwords, the most popular one continues to be “123456” (see 2016 and 2017 surveys). According to password management firm Keeper Security, which has analyzed over 10 million login details leaked online through data breaches that happened in 2016. The company says seven of the top 15 passwords are made up of six or fewer characters, allowing brute-force attacks to unscramble them within seconds.

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